NRL Power Rankings: Round Two

1. Rabbitohs (1)

The Bunnies retain their spot at the top of the rankings on the back on a brilliant second half on Thursday night. Trailing 12-6 at half time, the Rabbits looked a different side in the second 40 minutes. Sam Burgess is providing another avenue of attack out wide while Cam Murray has made the number 13 his own in just two games. The Bunnies' halves are the form 6 and 7 of the comp across the opening fortnight. Braidon Burns and Campbell Graham are outshining their far more decorated team mates. Damien Cook continues to thrive. Perfect start.

2. Tigers (4)

The Tigers have won two games from two in rainy conditions. Robbie Farah is on six Dally M points and is the form player of the competition. Benji Marshall has turned back the clock and looks 25 again. They've had an incredible completion rate across two rain soaked rounds, with 85% yesterday. The Tigers' forward pack is absolutely rolling and is 2/2. It has enabled their outside backs and halves to run riot. It's all about Robbie though. He's got three tries and a handful of try assists.

3. Storm (5)

The Storm just keeping going about their business, winning NRL games, with a minimal of fuss. The 22-10 win in Canberra came on the back of a Suliasi Vunivalu first half hat-trick. The first of his tries was absolutely textbook as a sweeping back line movement ended up with the winger touching down with ease. Brodie Croft's kicking game is really shining while Jahrome Hughes has slotted into the number one seamlessly. That Storm forward pack are scary good. They'll be annoyed with the two tries they conceded but they look very good early on.

4. Eels (6)

The Eels overcame a horror start to put the Dogs to the sword to the tune of 36-16 in front of a big Sunday afternoon crowd. Trailing 10-0 early on, it looked like a return to 2018 for the Eels. They need not have worried as back to back tries from Blake Ferguson and Clint Gutherson had them leading at half time. The game was blown open when Gutho scored again after half time before two incredible intercept tries against the run of play sewed it up. Ferguson is showing why the Eels did everything needed to sign him. Shaun Lane has been another brilliant get.

5. Broncos (10)

The Broncos are back in a big way after dominating Queensland rivals the Cowboys on Friday night. The 29-10 score line could have been even better but Broncs fans will be thrilled with the six tries to two win. Corey Oates added a second straight double and leads the competition with four tries. That much talked about forward pack showed why it is so highly regarded in beating arguably the best pack in the game. Young Tom Flegler lead the way with almost 200 metres. Jack Bird had a beauty.

6. Warriors (2)

The Warriors were dealt a harsh reality check by the Tigers after their week one cruise over the Dogs. They could only manage one try in difficult conditions. What will worry Stephen Kearny is the way they capitulated late and let the Tigers run up a score. The big Warriors wingers were massively outplayed by their Tigers counterparts but it was in the forwards where the visitors really struggled. Bunty Afoa topped the metres for the forwards with just 90. Four Tigers forwards recorded the century.

7. Roosters (9)

The Premiers are rolling in 2019. On paper it wasn't the most convincing of wins against the struggling Sea Eagles but they managed it without their star halfback or their number nine. Luke Keary is set to become a genuine mega star of the game in 2019. Daniel Tupou and Boyd Cordner both crossed the line twice with Brett Morris also scoring. At half time it looked a question of Roosters by how many and I wouldn't be shocked if they took their foot off the pedal just a little in the back quarter. Young Lachlan Lam looked good in the halves. JWH lead the way with 232 metres. Big effort considering the bench was limited due to injury.

8. Cowboys (3)

The Cowboys now sit 1-1 after being outplayed by the Broncos. They let the Broncs forwards get over the top of them and suffered as a result. Michael Morgan was kept very quiet while Jason Taumalolo was pressured early before leaving the field. Josh McGuire did make 142 metres but you expect more from this all star Cowboys pack. To concede six tries despite 50% possession and a 74% completion rate is a little worrying. They'll need to address that before they run out this Saturday night.

9. Raiders (7)

The Raiders were almost out of the game by half time on the back of conceding three tries to Vunivalu. Although they were able to drag it back after half time, they never really looked like winning this game. Jarrod Croker did manage two tries and I love that look of John Bateman. His lead up work in Croker's first try as outstanding. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is looking at home at the back but needs more time. Jack Wighton likewise. Only two line breaks is very un-Canberra like.

10. Knights (8)

Newcastle ground out a gritty win in round one and looked to be on track to do just that again if not for some brilliant last effort defence by the Panthers. The 16-14 loss won't send too many shockwaves through the Hunter but this is the kind of game the Knights need to win to play finals this year. David Klemmer was again a monster up front with almost 200 metres. Edrick Lee is a try scoring machine. The halves combination will be mentioned almost weekly here, as it is everywhere. Slow start although that Kalyn Ponga ball to Lee was slick.

11. Sharks (13)

The Sharks would have moved further up if not for the dire second half performance they turned in. Leading 20-0 at half time the Shaun Johnson and Matt Moylan-lead side looked set for a big score but they forgot how to catch the ball in the second stanza. That right edge lit up Shark Park in the opening 40 with Sione Katoa bagging two. Briton Nikora's line running is far beyond his experience. Moylan's perfect pass sent him over almost untouched. Johnson looked sharp and dangerous. At times he had spiders on him and left the Titans grasping at air. That 63% completion rate though, yuk. Lucky they were able to deny the Titans on multiple occasions.

12. Panthers (12)

The Panthers are off the mark in gritty style. This was an important win despite it being only round two. James Maloney showed his desire with a series of brilliant tackles late on. There's no coincidence that when he is on, the Panthers are more dangerous. They were a long way from their free flowing best but the 16-14 win is a good platform to build on. The three tries came from forwards which is unusual for a side known for flashy play. Decent win, plenty to work on but beating the Knights at home looks a difficult task in 2019.

13. Dragons (11)

The Dragons now sit 0-2 with a trip to Brisbane to play the Broncos in front of them. Leading 12-6 at half time the Red V looked on but a horror second half saw them beaten 34-18. Jordan Pereira scored a double but both wingers are in the spot light after a series of defensive misreads. For all the snaky remarks by Dragons players and coaching staff re comments in the media, the current set up is not working. Gareth Widdop is so far off his game it is frustrating to watch.

14. Sea Eagles (14)

Manly were brave in the second half against the Roosters but truthfully were never in that game for a second. Down 22-0 at half time the home team simply couldn't contain the Premiers despite being sans Cronk and Friend. They did manage to score an absolute highlight reel try late on but this looks a long season for the Brookie boys. A quick look over the stats suggests this game should have been much closer. Taupau was massive with over 200 metres.

15. Bulldogs (16)

The Bulldogs actually moved up the rankings despite being belted for a second straight week, but it was through absolutely no work of their own. After leading 10-0 early on the Dogs were over run, and again, the masters of their own demise. Two intercept tries were gifted as they were chasing the game. The 36-16 score line probably flatters the Eels a little but the Dogs were not good.

16. Titans (15)

The Titans sit last here based on the fact they've only managed one try in 2019 across two games. I lost count of how many times the Titans looked to have scored on Saturday afternoon only to be denied. That left edge was absolutely torn to shreds by the Sharks in the first half. Their second half was better but I think it was more a case of the Sharks being bad. They need Ash Taylor back ASAP. Jai Arrow was a monster. 209 metres and tackle breaks galore, he was a giant.